Systems and methods for dissipating heat generated during an electrical measurement

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for dissipating heat generated during an electrical function are disclosed. In particular, the disclosed systems and methods can be used for dissipating heat generated during low impedance measurement on a multimeter. In some embodiments, the multimeter can include a first thermistor coupled in series with a resistor in a measurement path, a second thermistor, and a switch coupled to the measurement path and the second thermistor for selectively including the second thermistor in the measurement path during a low impedance measurement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/824,481, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORDISSIPATING HEAT GENERATED DURING AN ELECTRICAL MEASUREMENT, filed onJun. 29, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Modern digital multimeters (DMMs) can suffer from ghost voltages. Ghostvoltages can occur when energized circuits and non-energized wiring arelocated in close proximity to each other, such as in the same conduit orraceway. This condition forms a capacitor and allows capacitive couplingbetween the energized wiring and the adjacent unused wiring. Whenmultimeter leads are placed between the open circuit and the neutralconductor, the circuit is effectively completed through the input of themultimeter. The capacitance between the connected, hot conductor and thefloating conductor forms a voltage divider in conjunction with themultimeter input impedance. The multimeter then measures and displaysthe resulting voltage value, which can be misleading.

Most modern DMMs for testing industrial, electrical, and electronicsystems have high impedance input circuits greater than 1 megohm. As aresult, when the DMM is placed across a circuit for a measurement, itwill have little impact on circuit performance. This is the desiredeffect for most voltage measurement applications, and is especiallyimportant for sensitive electronics or control circuits. However, thishigh impedance can contribute to the ghost voltage effect. Many DMMshave an input impedance that's high enough to show the capacitivelycoupled voltage, giving a false impression of a live conductor. That is,the meter is actually measuring voltage coupled into the disconnectedconductor.

To compensate for this effect, DMMs can include a low impedancefunction, often called “LoZ.” This feature presents a low impedanceinput to the circuit under test. This reduces the possibility of falsereadings due to ghost voltages and improves accuracy when testing todetermine absence or presence of voltage. The LoZ switch position on theDMM can be used when readings are suspect (ghost voltages may bepresent) or when testing for the presence of voltage. Typicalimplementations of LoZ functionality pass current through a resistor. InLoZ mode, the resistor can generate a significant amount of heat, andthis heat can adversely impact the accuracy of further measurementstaken with the DMM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the front face of a digital multimeter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic for one embodiment of a LoZ circuit.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic for another embodiment of a LoZ circuit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for operating a digital multimeter in LoZmode.

FIG. 5 illustrates a printed circuit board having differential sizedlands.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do notnecessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a broad sense, systems and methods for dissipating heat generatedwhen operating a multimeter in LoZ mode are disclosed in detail below.The systems and methods described herein can efficiently excess powerthrough a non-critical thermistor coupled in series with a thermistor inthe measurement path.

Basic Operation of the Meter

An example meter 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The meter can includedisplay 105 and rotary switch 120. A user can interact with the meter byusing any one of several interfaces. For input, any of the buttonsand/or rotary switch 120 can be used to request various measurements andprocessed versions of those measurements. A secondary button can bepressed to select any rotary switch alternate function. Other buttonscan be used to choose modifiers for the selected function.

Analog connections on input jacks 121-124 can be used to providemeasurement input to the meter. In some embodiments, four jacks can beincluded along the bottom of the meter where the user can connect inputprobes used to measure signals of interest. Output is presented to theuser with a dot-matrix LCD such as display 105, an indicator light,and/or an audible beeper. A remote interface can also be used to provideanother way to control and query the meter.

The area between the display 105 and the rotary switch 120 can containvarious soft keys and buttons. The lower portion of the display area 105can contain labels 106 corresponding to the soft keys 107 (labeled [F1]through [F4]) below the display 105. Pressing one of the soft keysinvokes the function indicated by the corresponding label on thedisplay. The meter 100 can also include navigation buttons 114, anon/off switch 118, and a backlight control button 119. In someembodiments, the meter can use four AA alkaline batteries and can useany of several techniques to conserve battery power.

In embodiments supporting LoZ functionality, the rotary switch 120 canbe rotated to position 150 which is labeled “LoZ.” At position 150, themeter will operate in LoZ mode and can further employ the systems andmethods for heat dissipation described below. In other embodiments, LoZmode can be selected by operation of one of more of soft keys 107.

LoZ Operational Mode

The LoZ mode can be used to measure voltage or capacitance with a lowinput impedance. In this mode, the DMM presents a low impedance input tothe circuit under test. This reduces the possibility of false readingsdue to ghost voltages and improves accuracy when testing to determineabsence or presence of voltage. When in low impedance mode, there is anincreased risk that a high current may be conducted through themeasurement circuitry as a high voltage may be placed across the leadsof the device. To protect the DMM circuitry, a resistor and thermistormay be connected in series with the current or voltage source beingmeasured. The thermistors described herein can be any type of electricaldevice that has a resistance that varies based on the temperature of thedevice.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, resistor R4 and thermistor RT1 may beconnected in series with the source so that current will flow throughresistor R4 and thermistor RT1. As non-limiting examples, resistor R4may be a 1.1 KOhm resistor and RT1 may be a 1.1 KOhm thermistor. If ahigh current is passed through thermistor RT1, RT1 will become hotter,and its resistance will increase. This will reduce the current throughthe measurement circuit. As thermistor RT1 becomes hotter, its heat isconducted to other components on the printed circuit board. Thisconduction of heat to other components can negatively impact theaccuracy of other measurements. Additionally, when RT1 is heated, itsown resistivity is also temporarily increased, impacting the accuracy ofother measurements which use the same measurement circuitry.

When in use, thermistor RT1 will heat up and it may take some timebefore various components in the DMM will return to normal operatingtemperatures. Additionally, other components in the meter may becomeheated and create thermal voltages, thermal gradients, and otherproblems that impact measurement accuracy. If only relativelylow-accuracy measurements are required, it may be necessary to wait 5-10minutes for a unit using only one thermistor to return to normaloperating temperatures. If relatively high accuracy measurements arerequired, it may be necessary to wait 30-40 minutes for using a unitusing only one thermistor to return to normal operating temperatures.

Second Thermistor

To enable thermistor RT1 in the measurement path to return to normaloperating temperatures faster, a non-critical second thermistor can beadded to the circuit. In some embodiments, the addition of a secondthermistor can substantially reduce time to obtain a reading within theaccuracy requirements through the measurement path. As illustrated inFIG. 2, thermistor RT2 can be included in series with switch S1 andthereby coupled to ground. Thus, an additional thermistor can beincluded in the circuitry so that two thermistors (RT1 and RT2) plus aresistor (R1) are arranged in series. Switch S1 can be closed by rotaryswitch 120 or by a processor responsive to soft keys 107. Once S1 isclosed, R4 is then in series with RT1 and RT2. In this configuration,heat generated during a measurement can be dissipated by twothermistors.

In some embodiments, thermistors having an accuracy of +/−20% may beused. In some embodiments, thermistor RT2 can be of greater resistancethan thermistor RT1. If RT2 is of greater resistance, RT2 will dissipatemore heat than thermistor RT1. To select a pair of resistors to use asRT1 and RT2, a pair of thermistors rated for the same resistance can betested and compared to each other. Assuming slight sample variation, thethermistor having the greater resistance can be placed in the RT2position.

An alternative circuit for switching in a non-critical thermistor forLoZ operation is illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3,thermistor RT1 and resistor R1 are arranged in series. Thermistor RT2can be coupled in series with RT1 and R1 by action of switch S1 (301).FIG. 3 further illustrates the inclusion of clamps RV2 and RV3.

Some embodiments can be operated without the use of a rotary switch. Insuch embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the multimeter can receive auser selection of an operating mode 401 using one of soft keys 107,determine if the selected mode is a low impedance operating mode 402,and then electromechanically couple a non-critical thermistor in serieswith a thermistor in the measurement path 403 if the low impedance modehas been selected in step 402.

Increased Size of Lands

In some embodiments, the circuit board on which multimeter componentsare mounted can include differentially sized lands for mountingcomponents such as thermistors RT1 and RT2. The lands can be areas ofcopper, or other metal, connected to the through holes for mounting RT1and/or RT2. By making mounting pads with larger lands, heat dissipationcan be increased. That is, a thermistor with smaller lands will heat upfirst and retain heat longer. The thermistor mounted to the larger landswill dissipate heat at a relatively faster rate. The increased size ofthe lands increases the rate at which heat can be dissipated from thecomponents on the lands.

In some embodiments, it is desired to dissipate the heat of thethermistor in the measurement path as quickly as possible. Withreference to FIG. 5, the mounting area for RT1 can include relativelylarger lands 505 and 510. In some embodiments, RT2 may have landssmaller than those of RT1 or may have no lands.

Additional Examples

Different DMMs used with the disclosed systems and methods can havedifferent degrees of accuracy. Some high accuracy DMMs can be accurateto 0.025% of the measured reading while lower accuracy instruments maybe accurate to 0.1% or 0.05% of the measured reading. Thermistor heatingof the printed circuit board can create thermal problems which impactthe accuracy of the instruments. While higher accuracy DMMs might notreturn to normal sensitivity for a long time, a user may like to knowwhen normal operating temperatures and accuracy have been reached.

In some embodiments, the DMM can allow use of its measurement functionswhile some of its components are not at their normal operatingtemperatures. In some such embodiments, if the DMM is heated to atemperature outside of the normal operating temperatures, the DMM willdetect this temperature with a temperature sensor and automaticallydisplay measurements at a reduced precision until the temperature fallssufficiently. As a non-limiting example, the DMM that has exceeded itsrated temperature may only display voltage at millivolt precision untilthe temperature returns to normal, at which point the unit will againdisplay voltages at microvolt precision.

In some embodiments, the DMM can include an indicator for displayingwhen the DMM has returned to normal operations temperatures. In someembodiments, the indicator displays the temperature of one or moreportions of the printed circuit board. In other embodiments, the displaycan indicate a binary condition of “READY,” “WAIT,” or another conditionbased on the temperatures of one or more portions of the circuit board.

In some embodiments, the DMM could include a timer. Once the LoZfunction is used or a component has otherwise been heated to atemperature outside of its normal operating range, a processor can begina timer to count down the period of time required for the component toreach the normal operating temperature. The period of time could bebased on the voltage applied when the LoZ or other function was used, orthe measured temperature of the component or components in question.This time can be indicated on display 105.

In some embodiments, the heat generated by the thermistors can be ventedby air passages that vent heat past thermistors RT1 and RT2. In suchembodiments, the DMM can be sealed properly to reduce the risk ofelectric shock.

In some embodiments, a heat sink can be attached directly to one more ofthermistors RT1 and RT2. The heat sink can be selected so that thethermistor heats at a rate sufficient to perform a protective functionby increasing resistance quickly to decrease current through the DMM yetdissipates heat quickly enough to enable the DMM to return to normaloperating conditions more quickly.

CONCLUSION

Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are setforth in the description and in FIGS. 1-5 to provide a thoroughunderstanding of these embodiments. A person skilled in the art,however, will understand that the invention may be practiced withoutseveral of these details or additional details can be added to theinvention. In particular, while the description above is provided withspecific reference to thermistors, the systems and methods could also beapplied to any other component which can become heated in excess of itsnormal operating temperatures. Well-known structures and functions havenot been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe description of the embodiments of the invention. As used herein, oneor more components “coupled” to each other can be coupled directly(i.e., no other components are between the coupled components) orindirectly (i.e., one or more other components can be placed between thecoupled components).

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Additionally, the words “herein,”“above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in thisapplication, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to anyparticular portions of this application. Where the context permits,words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or pluralnumber may also include the plural or singular number respectively. Theword “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all ofthe following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list,all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in thelist.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, whileprocesses or blocks are presented in a given order, alternativeembodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems havingblocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may bedeleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to providealternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may beimplemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes orblocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processesor blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed atdifferent times.

The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined oraltered to provide further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain embodiments of the invention, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details, while still beingencompassed by the invention disclosed herein.

The terminology used in the Detailed Description is intended to beinterpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is beingused in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specificembodiments of the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized;however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restrictedmanner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this DetailedDescription section. In general, the terms used in the following claimsshould not be construed to limit the invention to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above DetailedDescription section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, theactual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosedembodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementingthe invention under the claims.

1. An apparatus for dissipating heat generated during an electricalfunction, comprising: a first thermistor coupled in series with aresistor in a measurement path; a second thermistor; and a switchcoupled to the measurement path and the second thermistor forselectively coupling the second thermistor to the measurement path,wherein when the switch is open, the resistor is in series with thefirst thermistor, and further wherein when the switch is closed, theresistor is in series with both the first thermistor and the secondthermistor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second thermistorcomprises two terminals and is coupled to the measurement path at afirst terminal and coupled to a ground at the second terminal.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a rotary switch on a multimeterdevice for operating the switch coupled to the measurement path.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first thermistor is mounted on landsfor dissipating heat, and wherein the second thermistor is not mountedon lands.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first thermistor ismounted on a first set of lands for dissipating heat, and wherein thesecond thermistor is mounted on a second set of lands for dissipatingheat, wherein the first set of lands is larger than the second set oflands.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first thermistor ismounted on a set of lands for dissipating heat, and wherein the secondthermistor is not mounted on lands.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first thermistor, the second thermistor, and the switch are housedin a digital multimeter.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first thermistor and the second thermistor are attacheddirectly to a heat sink.
 9. An apparatus for dissipating heat generatedduring an electrical function, comprising: a first element coupled inseries with a resistor in a measurement path; a second element; and aswitch coupled to the measurement path and the second element forselectively coupling the second element to the measurement path, whereinthe first element and the second element are electrical devices thathave a resistance that is proportional to a temperature of the device.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second element comprises twoterminals and is coupled to the measurement path at a first terminal andcoupled to a ground at the second terminal.
 11. The apparatus of claim9, further comprising a rotary switch on a multimeter device foroperating the switch coupled to the measurement path.
 12. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the first element is mounted on lands fordissipating heat, and wherein the second element is not mounted onlands.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first element ismounted on a first set of lands for dissipating heat, and wherein thesecond element is mounted on a second set of lands for dissipating heat,wherein the first set of lands is larger than the second set of lands.14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first element is mounted on aset of lands for dissipating heat, and wherein the second element is notmounted on lands.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the firstelement, the second element, and the switch are housed in a digitalmultimeter.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of thefirst element and the second element are attached directly to a heatsink.
 17. A method for dissipating heat generated during an electricalfunction, comprising the steps of: receiving a selection of an operatingmode from a user; determining if the selected mode is a low impedanceoperating mode; and if a low impedance mode has been selected,electromechanically coupling a second thermistor in series with a firstthermistor in a measurement path such that the generated heat isdissipated by the first thermistor and the second thermistor, and if thelow impedance mode has not been selected, electromechanicallydisconnecting the second thermistor from the measurement path such thatthe generated heat is not dissipated by the second thermistor.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the selection is received from a user at asoft key.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the selection is receivedfrom a user using a rotary switch.
 20. The method of claim 17, whereinthe electrical function is performed by a digital multimeter.